RIYADH, 6 May 2004 — A German delegation wrapped up its four-day visit yesterday after meeting with local officials and businessmen in an effort to strengthen the ties between Baden Wuerttemberg and the Kingdom.

“We are extremely happy with the outcome of our visit. It’s my first visit to Saudi Arabia, representing the state government of Baden Wuerttemberg, and I had the opportunity to meet Saudi officials and leading businessmen,” said Dr. Horst Mehrlaender during a reception at the residence of German Ambassador Dr. Gerhard Enver Schroembgens.

Dr. Schroembgens said the visit “underlines the strength of German-Saudi business relations and the huge mutual interest to further extend them.”

Dr. Mehrlaender, the delegation head, is the state secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Baden Wuerttemberg. During the visit, an exhibition of products from Baden Wuerttemberg was held at a local hotel.

He said while the delegation intended to boost political ties, it also aimed to promote German products, adding that the trade volume is now around 500 million euros.

“We are here because we would like to find out not only what we can sell but also what we can import to narrow the gap in the trade exchange,” Dr. Mehrlaender said.

He said exports to the Kingdom include machinery, electronics, high-quality leather goods, cars and spare parts.

Dr. Mehrlaender’s state is home to Mercedes Benz, specifically the city of Stuttgart. “In Baden Wuerttemberg, the automotive industry was born 150 years ago,” he added.

Abdullah Al-Muqbil, deputy minister for roads, said the Saudi Arabian Public Transport Co. (SAPTCO) now buys its buses from Germany. “For the last seven years we have bought three times from Mercedes. Four years ago, we bought 300 units, then another 300 after that. This year we bought 450 units,” he said.

Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce & Industry, said that because of the current balance of trade “we would like to buy German products but at the same time we would like to export more.”

“That’s why when we visit Baden Wuerttemberg at the end of this month at the invitation of Dr. Mehrlaender, we would have Saudi exporters in the delegation,” he said.

He added that he’s also keen to promote joint ventures between Saudi and German businessmen, either in the Kingdom or in Germany.